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Updated with current federal pay tables and reference data

$79,139 GS-12 Step 1 in HOUSTON (2015)
$102,886 GS-12 Step 10 in HOUSTON (2015)
+$17,653 Locality add-on at Step 1 vs. base

2015 GS-12 pay table for HOUSTON

Each step below already includes the 28.71% locality adjustment. The "Locality add-on" column shows how much locality pay is adding compared with the base GS-12 table.

Step Annual salary Biweekly pay Hourly rate Locality add-on
Step 1 $79,139 $3,043.81 $37.92 +$17,653
Step 2 $81,777 $3,145.27 $39.18 +$18,241
Step 3 $84,416 $3,246.77 $40.45 +$18,830
Step 4 $87,054 $3,348.23 $41.71 +$19,418
Step 5 $89,693 $3,449.73 $42.98 +$20,007
Step 6 $92,331 $3,551.19 $44.24 +$20,595
Step 7 $94,970 $3,652.69 $45.51 +$21,184
Step 8 $97,609 $3,754.19 $46.77 +$21,773
Step 9 $100,247 $3,855.65 $48.03 +$22,361
Step 10 $102,886 $3,957.15 $49.30 +$22,950
← GS-11 Calculate my take-home GS-13 →

Base vs. locality comparison

How much more HOUSTON pays

  • Base GS-12 Step 1 $61,486
  • HOUSTON GS-12 Step 1 $79,139
  • Locality add-on +$17,653
  • Adjustment percent 28.71%
  • Base GS-12 Step 10 $79,936
  • HOUSTON GS-12 Step 10 $102,886

Step-increase waiting periods

  • Step 1 → Step 2 52 weeks
  • Step 2 → Step 3 52 weeks
  • Step 3 → Step 4 52 weeks
  • Step 4 → Step 5 104 weeks
  • Step 5 → Step 6 104 weeks
  • Step 6 → Step 7 104 weeks
  • Step 7 → Step 8 156 weeks
  • Step 8 → Step 9 156 weeks
  • Step 9 → Step 10 156 weeks

GS-12 in HOUSTON: what to expect

Experienced professionals and working-level experts. This is the most common GS grade for mid-career federal employees. Many policy, acquisition, engineering and scientific specialists sit at GS-12.

For 2015, the HOUSTON pay area adds a 28.71% locality adjustment on top of the nationwide base GS schedule. Every GS-12 employee assigned to this area benefits from that same percentage, regardless of step or series.

Qualifications and career path

Minimum qualifications. One year of specialized experience at the GS-11 level.

Promotion path. Competitive promotion to GS-13 requires a GS-13 vacancy and selection on merit.

The rough military equivalent for GS-12 is O-5 Lieutenant Colonel, useful for comparing GS roles against enlisted and officer ranks when looking at pay or authority level.

Biweekly take-home for GS-12 in HOUSTON

Before taxes and deductions, a GS-12 Step 1 employee in HOUSTON earns roughly $3,044 per biweekly pay period. At Step 10 that rises to $3,957. Actual take-home will be lower after federal tax, state tax, TSP contributions, retirement and health insurance deductions.

Note. This is the archived 2015 table. For current pay, open the latest GS-12 HOUSTON page.

Other grades in HOUSTON

GS-12 in HOUSTON questions

  • How much does a GS-12 make in HOUSTON?
    In 2015, a GS-12 Step 1 employee in HOUSTON earns $79,139 per year. At Step 10 the salary reaches $102,886. This is 28.71% higher than the base GS-12 salary.
  • What is the locality adjustment for GS-12 in HOUSTON?
    The locality adjustment is the same for every grade and step within a pay area. For HOUSTON in 2015, it is 28.71%. On a GS-12 Step 1 salary that translates to an extra $17,653 per year.
  • What is the biweekly pay for GS-12 in HOUSTON?
    Biweekly pay is annual salary divided by 26. A GS-12 Step 1 employee in HOUSTON earns roughly $3,044 per pay period before tax and retirement deductions.